"What are you planning to do next?"
After hanging up the phone, Song Heping found Samir and asked directly, "I'm already prepared to go to war with the CIA."
It was already the early morning.
Most people were asleep.
Coming out from Imu village, everyone moved southward.
The south was close to the Saudi area.
Samir and his troops were currently active in this area, some of their territory adjacent to Siria.
The I5I5 organization particularly despised Samir and wanted to eliminate him quickly because they needed to control the entire western part of Illiguo.
This area bordered Siria, similar to the border between two countries like Aba.
Extremist armed forces, illegal armed groups, whatever the country, prefer to operate in border regions.
Terrorist organizations need the right environment to thrive.
The border is their assurance of survival.
If they are overpowered, they flee.
This principle is never wrong.
"I'm a bit confused right now..."
Samir's emotions had not yet stabilized.
His losses tonight had been significant.
Apart from the troops he led, the other two branch bases were also attacked.
One of them was completely wiped out.
The other lost more than half of its forces.
What he found even harder to accept was that the I5I5 armed group had resorted to massacring villages, wiping clean two villages that supported the People's Power Armed Forces.
Decapitation is what they are best at.
It seems that in their doctrine, cutting off the enemy's head not only deters the enemy but also severs their souls.
"For now, I can't think of what to do..."
Seeing his former employee in such a sorry state, Song Heping couldn't help his anger rising.
"Samir, you've been with me so long, don't you even know how to handle this situation? You think you're facing a dead end, facing just an I5I5 armed force, what about me? My opponent is the CIA, should I go kill myself then?"
"You're different…"
Samir, tugging at his hair, sat on the carpet with his head bowed, lacking even the courage to look up at Song Heping.
"The more desperate the situation, the more indestructible courage is needed. Don't we all have one head, two hands, and two legs? Just do it. Besides, the situation now is not yet lost; I5I5 also lost quite a bit of manpower tonight."
Song Heping sat down in front of him, then reached out to take the teapot, pouring a cup for him and for himself.
"From now on, you should immediately contact the forces you can command and declare war on I5I5. My men will assist you, not only that, I've also contacted Persia, they will provide some help at crucial times."
"Persia side?"
"Yes."
Song Heping said, "You remember Avanti, right?"
"He's willing to help?"
Samir was quite shocked.
"Of course, he is willing," Song Heping said. "The CIA covertly supports the I5I5 armed group, and it's not just to target you, my brother. I'm reluctant to say words that hurt you, but this is the reality, you're not yet qualified enough to make the CIA's Secret Action Department expend a great deal of manpower and resources to support an armed organization against you."
Samir was slightly embarrassed to hear this.
Being considered an enemy is actually a source of pride.
If one is not even worthy of being an opponent, it is also a kind of humiliation.
"But since their rise, they have continuously sought to eliminate us. Before your arrival, there have been many conflicts between I5I5 armed forces and us."
Samir tried to save some face.
Song Heping was actually provoking him on purpose.
Samir, acting stubborn, needed his spirit aroused.
The best way to arouse someone's fighting spirit is to further trample on their self-esteem, igniting their anger.
As expected, everything went as he had foreseen.
Song Heping, sipping his tea, said in a calm tone, "They want to get rid of you because you stand in their way of controlling the western region. Without eliminating you, they can't control the entire northwest. And the CIA isn't thinking of dealing with you; their ultimate goal isn't even me, I just happened to be involved."
Samir hastily asked, "Then what is their goal?"
"To break the Persians' 'Arc of Resistance' strategy," Song Heping said. "If Avanti's strategy succeeds, it means the collapse of the Western order led by the Americans, and for the Persians themselves, it would mean breaking free from the sanctions noose the Americans have had around their necks since '79. That's something the Americans absolutely cannot allow. Do you understand now what I meant by my earlier words? You, me, we are not their final targets; Avanti is, so he will definitely help."
Samir was not prepared for the deep background behind this attack.